CVE-2023-4297 in Mmm Simple File List Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/27/2023
The Mmm Simple File List WordPress plugin through 2.3 does not validate the generated path to list files from, allowing any authenticated users, such as subscribers, to list the content of arbitrary directories.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4297 affects the Mmm Simple File List WordPress plugin version 2.3 and earlier, representing a critical directory traversal flaw that undermines the plugin's security controls. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the plugin's file listing functionality, where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the paths used to enumerate directory contents. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's ability to list files from arbitrary directories without proper authorization checks, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations that utilize this plugin.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows any authenticated user account within the WordPress system to exploit the vulnerability, including low-privilege subscribers who typically should not have access to system-level file operations. The lack of proper path validation means that malicious actors can manipulate the plugin's file listing parameters to traverse the filesystem and enumerate files from directories beyond the intended scope. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control, as the plugin does not enforce proper authorization checks before executing directory listing operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for WordPress administrators and end users who rely on the plugin for file management purposes. An authenticated attacker can leverage this flaw to discover sensitive files, system configuration details, and potentially identify other vulnerabilities within the system. The implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as the ability to enumerate directory contents can facilitate further exploitation attempts, including the discovery of backup files, configuration files, or other system artifacts that may contain credentials or other sensitive information. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability directly impacts the principle of defense in depth within WordPress security architectures, as it bypasses the expected access controls that should prevent unauthorized file system enumeration. Attackers can systematically traverse directories to discover sensitive files, potentially leading to credential exposure, system compromise, or other security breaches. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through directory listing capabilities. Organizations using this plugin face significant risk of data exposure and potential system compromise, particularly in environments where subscriber accounts might be compromised or where attackers can obtain legitimate user credentials through social engineering or other means.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-4297 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the directory traversal vulnerability, as this represents the most effective remediation approach. Additionally, administrators should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the plugin's functionality, particularly in environments where the plugin is not essential for all user roles. The implementation of proper input validation and path sanitization measures within the plugin's codebase is crucial, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly validated before being used in file system operations. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized users can access potentially dangerous file operations within the system.